The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) is set to convene the 2026 Ghana Media Summit in Accra to examine the growing threat of disinformation and its implications for democratic governance across West Africa.
The summit, scheduled for July 9, 2026, will bring together journalists, policymakers, civil society actors, academics, and regional institutions under the theme, “Defending Democracy in West Africa — The Role of Media.”
The event also marks seven years of CJID’s operations in Ghana through DUBAWA Ghana, its flagship fact-checking initiative focused on verification, media literacy, and information integrity.
According to the organisers, DUBAWA Ghana has played a significant role in strengthening Ghana’s information ecosystem since its launch in Accra in 2020. Through election-related fact-checking partnerships with the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), journalist training programmes, and collaborative initiatives under the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition, the initiative has contributed to efforts aimed at improving public access to credible information and enhancing democratic accountability.
Ahead of the summit, CJID will organise its flagship Regional Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Workshop, bringing together 15 journalists from across West Africa for intensive training in digital investigations and verification techniques.
The workshop is expected to equip participants with skills to verify online content, investigate coordinated influence operations, and deploy advanced investigative tools to counter emerging threats posed by synthetic media, artificial intelligence-generated content, and cross-border disinformation campaigns.
The day-long summit will feature opening remarks by Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, a member of the CJID Board, while Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, George Sarpong, is expected to deliver the keynote address. The Minister of State for Government Communications will also address participants.
Goodwill messages are expected from representatives of diplomatic missions, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the United Nations, and other regional development partners.
The programme will also feature the premiere of a documentary highlighting DUBAWA Ghana’s seven-year journey.
A key highlight of the summit will be a high-level panel discussion on “Defending Democracy in the Age of Disinformation: Strategic Priorities for Media Development in Ghana and West Africa,” which will bring together experts from journalism, academia, media development, press freedom advocacy, and regional policy institutions.
Speaking ahead of the event, CJID Executive Director, Akintunde Babatunde, stressed the need for stronger institutions and collaboration in addressing the growing threat of information disorder.
“The quality of our democracies will increasingly depend on the quality of our information ecosystems. As synthetic media, artificial intelligence, and coordinated influence operations become more sophisticated, defending democracy requires institutions that can produce credible information, journalists equipped with advanced investigative skills, and stronger regional collaboration,” he said.
He added that the summit would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to move beyond identifying the problem and focus on practical and collective solutions to strengthen information integrity across West Africa.
CJID has invited media organisations, civil society groups, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and democratic institutions across the sub-region to participate in the summit, with full programme details and venue information expected to be announced in the coming days.
